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The Burj Khalifa is a mixed-use, 163-floor skyscraper in Dubai that opened to the public in 2010. Construction of the nearly half-million ton structure began in 2004 and used over 400,000 cubic yards of concrete. The many elevators shuttle tourists, workers and residents throughout the over 3 million-square-foot behemoth.

The Burj Khalifa broke many height records. It features the world's highest observation deck, nightclub and restaurant. It also is the highest structure in the world in which people can actually live, with studios and one to four-bedroom apartments between levels 19 and 108. Those apartments sold out within eight hours of being on the market, according the developer. There is also a 304-room hotel, owned by Armani, inside the Burj Khalifa.

Another record set by the Burj Khalifa took place outside of its walls, as the world's highest fireworks display was watched by over 2 billion people worldwide on January 1, 2011. Major TV channels around the globe relayed the event live. The massive display also marked the skyscraper's first anniversary.